Company removing HMO, sick leave, and allowances in “integration” - do I have to accept this?
TL;DR: My employer (multinational tech company in PH) is forcing all Philippine employees to sign an MSA that removes HMO, sick leave, and allowances, calling it a “transfer” but including a quitclaim. Is this legal under Article 100? Should I sign or file DOLE?
I’ve been with my company (via their PH subsidiary) since 2022 as a regular employee. In April 2026, they announced all PH employees are being “transferred” to a different entity as part of an acquisition integration.
What they’re removing:
• Private HMO coverage (statutory only)
• 15 days sick leave (total leave drops from 33 to 18 days)
• Phone/internet/electricity allowances
• Life and accident insurance
• De minimis benefits
What they’re offering instead:
• One-time cash payment (covers ~4 months of lost benefits)
• Equity grant (if it vests and has value)
The Document:
They sent a “Mutual Separation Agreement” (MSA) that:
- Contains a full quitclaim
- Requires me to “accept” a new employment contract I haven’t seen yet
- They paid out my leave credits and pro-rated 13th month (only happens on separation, I did not sign the MSA yet)
Anyone experienced something like this? Is this a battle that I could win if I involve DOLE? I have another job lined up so not really afraid of consequences. Heck I would prefer if they buy me out. I just wanna do right by my workmates as well.